Looking to purchase a mini!!

Looking to purchase a mini!!

Author
Discussion

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Monday 18th June 2007
quotequote all
My dad is looking to purchase a mini for my lil brother who is 14 as a project car.

Basically i just wanted to know what we should be looking for when we are buying one. Any tips, sites for parts etc.

Cheers Steve

Cara Jynwyth

7,609 posts

236 months

Monday 18th June 2007
quotequote all
Get the Haynes mini restoration manual. Tells you where they rust and how much of a nightmare it is to fix. You will be fighting rust which is the pain, the mechanical stuff is straightforward.

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Monday 18th June 2007
quotequote all
Cheers pal!

tinks v8S

2,152 posts

209 months

Tuesday 19th June 2007
quotequote all
look 4 rust in door bins/rear
bad if round windows/roof
BUY THE BEST YOU CAN

but great FUN

miniman

25,016 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
What's the budget? I may have something of interest smile

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
Well my little brother said he can have one for 1K now but i am, sure if it is decent we can persuade my dad to give him more!!

Do you have any pictures?

mini*drummer

3,464 posts

214 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
if miniman can't help you out. im about to swap my for wheels for two......I can send pics.
Its a good runner but the body work could be quite an easy project....
let me know if you would like pics or anything smile

miniman

25,016 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
Essex Gtr said:
Well my little brother said he can have one for 1K now but i am, sure if it is decent we can persuade my dad to give him more!!

Do you have any pictures?
No but I can probably get some fairly soon - it's at my mate's workshop at the moment.

It's on a D-plate, has an MG Metro engine, Spax dampers, 13x7 Superlights, Corbeau FIA seats, 4 point harnesses, Hi-Los, Mountney steering wheel on billet boss, chrome interior handles, Lucas reversing spot light.

On the down side, it needs some work to get an MOT - primarily welding a small patch on the floor underneath the car, handbrake needs sorting (think it just needs freeing up and lubing) and some odd failure on either the subframe mounts or maybe it was track rod ends, I'd have to check.

On the basis that it needs some work and I need to get it out of my mate's workshop I would take £1500-ish for it. It's in Wiltshire, 10 mins from M4 J17 if you're interested.

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
miniman said:
Essex Gtr said:
Well my little brother said he can have one for 1K now but i am, sure if it is decent we can persuade my dad to give him more!!

Do you have any pictures?
No but I can probably get some fairly soon - it's at my mate's workshop at the moment.

It's on a D-plate, has an MG Metro engine, Spax dampers, 13x7 Superlights, Corbeau FIA seats, 4 point harnesses, Hi-Los, Mountney steering wheel on billet boss, chrome interior handles, Lucas reversing spot light.

On the down side, it needs some work to get an MOT - primarily welding a small patch on the floor underneath the car, handbrake needs sorting (think it just needs freeing up and lubing) and some odd failure on either the subframe mounts or maybe it was track rod ends, I'd have to check.

On the basis that it needs some work and I need to get it out of my mate's workshop I would take £1500-ish for it. It's in Wiltshire, 10 mins from M4 J17 if you're interested.
As i said mate its for my little bro so i will let him know, i only get to see him on the weekend so i will see what he says then. Cheers

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
mini*drummer said:
if miniman can't help you out. im about to swap my for wheels for two......I can send pics.
Its a good runner but the body work could be quite an easy project....
let me know if you would like pics or anything smile
Have you any pics, do you need my email to send them??

Skyedriver

17,909 posts

283 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
Beware a modded car even a mini may be hard to insure for a 17 year old
Sorry to be a bit negative
There have been a few guys on here with mint restored standard cars and that may be your way forward
Tony H

miniman

25,016 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
Beware a modded car even a mini may be hard to insure for a 17 year old
Sorry to be a bit negative
There have been a few guys on here with mint restored standard cars and that may be your way forward
Tony H
Yes, that's a good point, it would be considered as quite highly modified.

xxplod

2,269 posts

245 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
I'd echo the insurance concerns, but definately do it! Even if part of the project is swapping the 1275 Metro lump for an insurance friendly 998cc unit.

I've owned minis for 15 years, and if there is one thing to look for, it's rust. Everywhere. Bodywork, floors, rear subframe, sills, boot floor......

Skyedriver

17,909 posts

283 months

Wednesday 20th June 2007
quotequote all
xxplod said:
I'd echo the insurance concerns, but definately do it! Even if part of the project is swapping the 1275 Metro lump for an insurance friendly 998cc unit.

I've owned minis for 15 years, and if there is one thing to look for, it's rust. Everywhere. Bodywork, floors, rear subframe, sills, boot floor......
Yup agreed but even the wheels, seats and even a roll cage, if fitted, strangely enough, may cause insurance nightmares.

Re rust yup everywhere, garage floor included
Sometimes though a first car should just be a standard, car as it'll probably gat a knock or two. Gate post, garage door, street light etc.
Other prob is do you want your wee 'un out in a little, old design lacking in current safety equipment vehicle, which due to rust may fold up in a minor impact?
Eeeh god I am getting old today

Get a mini & enjoy (or a Hillman Imp, runs for cover....)

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Thursday 21st June 2007
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
xxplod said:
I'd echo the insurance concerns, but definately do it! Even if part of the project is swapping the 1275 Metro lump for an insurance friendly 998cc unit.

I've owned minis for 15 years, and if there is one thing to look for, it's rust. Everywhere. Bodywork, floors, rear subframe, sills, boot floor......
Yup agreed but even the wheels, seats and even a roll cage, if fitted, strangely enough, may cause insurance nightmares.

Re rust yup everywhere, garage floor included
Sometimes though a first car should just be a standard, car as it'll probably gat a knock or two. Gate post, garage door, street light etc.
Other prob is do you want your wee 'un out in a little, old design lacking in current safety equipment vehicle, which due to rust may fold up in a minor impact?
Eeeh god I am getting old today

Get a mini & enjoy (or a Hillman Imp, runs for cover....)
Lol, my dad and brother have decided they want a mini not sure why. He is only 14 at the mo so he has 3+ years to work on it.

Ill keep looking around for him though

Essex Gtr

Original Poster:

44 posts

203 months

Thursday 21st June 2007
quotequote all
Thanks for your help people!

Cara Jynwyth

7,609 posts

236 months

Friday 22nd June 2007
quotequote all
The Jan 1961 semi light shell is still available (refer to previous post), that is in very good order rust wise. Is a good bet as well as being an early Mk1. Forgot about that, it needs some work but the floor is original and perfect, the boot floor has been gas welded by a monkey, requires a bit of work below the boot aperture, the front panel needs a bit of bending about (it's an early ex racer) a paint job and that's about it. It looks horrible and shabby but is one of the best shells I've seen. Lukey wants about £500 for it and it's a great opportunity.

It will sit there until one day we will drag it out and put a VTEC in the back or something. If no-one has it, I'm going to grease the whole thing and just leave it for the future.